Wedge coupler lug brackets for coupling implements to excavation machines

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to wedge coupler lug brackets for attachment to an implement to permit connection of a wedge coupler on the work arm of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader. The wedge hook brackets comprising a pair of lugs each lug having a rear facing hook section, a saddle section, the rear facing hook section and saddle section configured and adapted to accommodate bosses on the wedge coupler on the work arm that transfer the digging force from a powerlink of the primary mover to the attachment and wedge bar receiver sections to receive a wedge bar on the wedge coupler. The wedge bar receiver section is configured and adapted, in combination with the rear facing hook section, to retain the attachment to the wedge coupler by engagement with both lugs across the width of the pair of wedge coupler lug brackets mounted on the attachment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Canadian Patent Application No. 2,559,934 filed Mar. 6, 2017 and a Canadian Patent Application entitled Wedge Coupler Lug Brackets for Coupling Implements to Excavation Machines filed on Mar. 5, 2018 [application number not yet assigned], and which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to an improved design for wedge coupler lug brackets for coupling a work tool or implement to a primary move such as excavators, back hoes, and loaders.

BACKGROUND

Quick couplers have been used to couple and uncouple work tools or implements (attachments) to the work arms of excavating machines such as excavators, back hoes, and loaders. For example, a backhoe may use a variety of buckets of various widths and shapes that are suitable for different tasks. In addition to buckets, other implements such as pneumatic hammers, hole augers, grapples, shears, rippers and the like may be used with excavating machines.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a conventional quick coupler system used by excavating machines [the excavator machine is not shown]. A coupler 10 operably mounted to the end of the excavator arm 15 includes a pair of front bosses and a pair of rear bosses. The side view of FIG. 1 illustrates one front boss 20 and one rear boss 25. The excavator bucket 30 includes a pair of brackets or lug attachments, shown in side view as lug attachment 35 comprising a front hook 40, a rear hook or saddle 45, and a wedge shaped opening 50 for receiving a wedge bar locking means 55. In this conventional configuration, front hook 40 is a front facing open hook section. The term “front” is intended to refer to a direction towards the operator of the primary mover.

When switching attachments (implements), such as buckets, on the work arm of a primary mover, such as a backhoe, excavator or loader, with a quick coupler, the current process may be very difficult if the attachment is not on level ground or perfectly aligned with the machine. The coupler on the work arm needs to be maneuvered onto the saddles or hooks on the attachment which can only be done when the hooks are aligned and the attachment is on level ground. The profile of existing hooks requires the attachment to be curled away from the operator which requires precise operation of the work arm and it is difficult for the operator to visually confirm the hook on the attachment is fully engaged with the coupler. The coupling operation becomes very difficult when for example; the bucket is lying back towards the ground as shown in FIG. 1. The profiles and configurations of the hooks combined with the curling away from the operator movement required by the profile of the hooks, makes the process of coupling and uncoupling the implement difficult and unsafe as the operators visibility of the attachment can be hindered by curling the attachment away from their position.

There is a need for a wedge lug bracket profile that improves the coupling process for attaching implements to prime movers.

In the prior art the focus at attempting to solve the problem has been on the coupler that attaches to the work arm.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,623 relates to a coupler and how the coupler is retained on the attachment. The coupler is maneuvered on to front facing hooks on the attachment which can only be done when the hooks are aligned and the attachment is on level ground. The profile of the hooks requires the attachment to be curled away from the operator which requires precise operation of the work arm and it is difficult for the operator to visually confirm the hook on the attachment is fully engaged with the coupler.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,654,019 shows a mounting bracket on the attachment having front hooks. The profile of the mounting bracket requires the attachment to be curled away from the operator.

US Patent Publication No. 2007/0201973 provides a set of pins on the coupler system that are used to retain the attachment by activating a cylinder in the locking pin. Pin Grabber style couplers that grab OEM bucket pins engage in a similar fashion as the coupler grabs the bucket pins but there has never been a wedge lock lug profile where the coupler grabs the bucket lug for the coupling process.

This “Background” section is provided for background information only. The statements in this “Background” are not an admission that the subject matter disclosed in this “Background” section constitutes prior art to the present disclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved design of wedge coupler lug brackets [also referred to as wedge coupler brackets] that when installed on an attachment allow the attachment to be coupled/uncoupled by curling the work arm of the primary mover towards the machine with the work arm off the ground. This facilitates picking up attachments that have fallen over or are on uneven ground. The operator can visually confirm the hook is fully engaged from the cab which improves safety. The configuration of the front hook allows the machine operator to start picking up the implement before the rear boss and wedge bar engage the lug bracket attachments.

The wedge coupler brackets according to the present invention can be installed on various implements and work with known wedge couplers on the work arms of primary movers.

In one embodiment the present invention provides wedge coupler brackets for attachment to an implement to permit connection of a wedge coupler on the work arm of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader. The wedge hook brackets comprise first and second opposing sidewalls, each sidewall having a first rear facing recess section and a second recess section and a wedge bar receiver section. The rear facing recess sections and saddle sections are configured and adapted to accommodate bosses on the wedge coupler on the work arm that transfer the digging force from a power link of the primary mover to the attachment. The wedge bar receiver sections are configured and adapted, in combination with the rear facing recess sections, to retain the attachment to the wedge coupler by engagement of a wedge bar on the wedge coupler with both brackets across the width of the pair of wedge hook lugs mounted on the attachment.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides an excavator implement having wedge coupler brackets for coupling the implement to a wedge coupler on the work arm of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader. The wedge hook brackets comprise first and second opposing sidewalls, each sidewall having a first rear facing recess section and a second recess section and a wedge bar receiver section. The rear facing recess sections and saddle sections are configured and adapted to accommodate bosses on the wedge coupler on the work arm that transfer the digging force from a power link of the primary mover to the implement. The wedge bar receiver sections are configured and adapted, in combination with the rear facing recess sections, to retain the attachment to the wedge coupler by engagement of a wedge bar on the wedge coupler with both brackets across the width of the pair of wedge hook lugs mounted on the implement.

Further features of the invention will be described or will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be further understood by reference to the description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of a work arm wedge coupler of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader attached to an attachment (bucket in the drawing) by means of conventional wedge coupler lug attachments;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary example of a work arm wedge coupler of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader attached to a bucket in the drawing by means of wedge coupler lug brackets according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a work arm wedge coupler attached to bucket of FIG. 2 by means of wedge coupler lug brackets according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a work arm wedge coupler attached to bucket of FIG. 2 by means of wedge coupler lug brackets according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the bucket of FIG. 4 having a pair of wedge lug brackets according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is schematic side plan view of the bucket of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the present invention showing initial coupling of the work arm wedge coupler to the wedge hook lugs. The wedge coupler includes a mechanically operated wedge bar. In the representation, the boom of the primary mover and the bucket are omitted and only partial sections of the work arm wedge coupler are shown so as not to complicate the representation.

FIG. 8 is diagrammatic representation is an embodiment of the present invention showing the coupling of the work arm wedge coupler with the wedge hook lugs and saddles. The wedge coupler includes a mechanically operated wedge bar before locked engagement. In the representation, the boom of the primary mover and the bucket are omitted and only partial sections of work arm wedge coupler are shown so as not to complicate the representation.

FIG. 9 is diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the present invention showing initial coupling of the work arm wedge coupler to the wedge hook lugs. The wedge coupler includes a hydraulically operated wedge bar. In the representation, the boom of the primary mover and the bucket are omitted and only partial sections of work arm wedge coupler are shown so as not to complicate the representation.

FIG. 10 is diagrammatic representation of an embodiment of the present invention showing the coupling of the work arm wedge coupler with the wedge hook lugs. The wedge coupler includes a hydraulically operated wedge bar before final locked engagement. In the representation, the boom of the primary mover and the bucket are omitted and only partial sections of work arm wedge coupler are shown so as not to complicate the representation.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the configuration according to FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a configuration similar to FIG. 10 but showing the hydraulically operated wedge bar in final locked engagement.

Similar references are used in different figures to denote similar components

DESCRIPTION

The description, which follows, and the embodiments described therein, is provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples of particular embodiments of principles and aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the invention. In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 6, an embodiment according to the present invention shows a wedge coupler 10 on the work arm 15 of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader (not shown) is attached to an attachment 30 (bucket in the drawing) by means of wedge hook lug brackets or attachments 36 and 36 a.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the wedge hook lug attachments 36 and 36 a comprise a pair of opposed spaced lugs 60, 60 a. Each lug 60, 60 a has a rear facing hook section 70, 70 a. The wedge hook lug attachments 36 and 36 a additionally comprise saddle sections 75, 75 a. Rear facing hook sections 70, 70 a and saddle sections 75, 75 a accommodate bosses 20, 20 a and 25, 25 a respectively on the wedge coupler 10 on the work arm 15 that transfer the digging force from the power link of the primary mover to the attachment 30. The wedge hook lug attachments 36 and 36 a additionally comprise wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50 a to receive a wedge bar 55 on wedge coupler 10 that retains the attachment by engaging with rear facing hook sections 70, 70 a across the width of the wedge hook lug attachments 36, 36 a. The term “rear” is intended to refer to a direction away from the operator of the primary mover.

In order to attach a quick wedge coupler on the end of a work arm to an attachment, such as a bucket as shown in the drawings, having the wedge hook lugs according to the present invention, the quick wedge coupler is inserted between the pair of wedge hook lugs 60, 60 a just in front of the rear facing hook sections 70, 70 a. The operator curls and lifts the work arm in towards the operator to engage the lifting the bucket off the ground. As the work arm curls in, the bosses on the wedge coupler align with the saddle sections 75, 75 a on the wedge hook lug attachments 36 and 36 a.

The saddle section 75, 75 a on each attachment 36 and 36 a is a machine position for the bosses on the wedge coupler that transfer the excavator power link forces to the bucket through wedge hook lug attachments 36 and 36 a.

The wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50 a on each wedge hook lug attachments 36 and 36 a is a machined surface that the wedge bar 55 engages completely to retain the bucket on the wedge coupler. The wedge coupler wedge bar can be engaged manually or hydraulically.

The surfaces on the rear facing hook section, saddle section and wedge bar receiver section are all machined to work together in such a way that the wedge coupler on the work arm remains in contact with all three surfaces at the same time.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein the wedge coupler 10 includes a wedge coupler wedge bar for manually engaging the wedge lug brackets 36, 36 a. Boss 20 and boss 20 a [20 a is hidden] are initially engaged in rear facing hook sections 70, 70 a [70 a is hidden]. Coupler 10 includes a manually operated locking system comprising a wedge bar 55, a pair of wedge bolts 85 to align and tighten the wedge bar 55 against wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50 a, and pin apertures 95, 100, 95 a and 100 a for receiving safety pins, similar to safety pins 120, 120 a shown FIG. 10. Wedge bolts 85 are in a loosened but connected state so that wedge bar 55 can freely move past the ends 37, 37 a of wedge brackets 36, and 36 a.

In FIG. 8, coupler bosses 20, 20 a and 25, 25 a are shown engaged in rear facing hook sections 70, 70 a [70 a is hidden] and saddle sections 75, 75 a [75 a is hidden] respectively. Wedge bolts 85 are shown as partially tightened, which causes wedge bar 55 to move towards wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50 a. Wedge blots 85 tighten against a safety plate 80 that is secured to wedge bar 55 by a safety pin 90. When wedge bar 55 is in a fully engaged or locked state with wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50 a, safety plate 80 prevents loosening of wedge bolts 85 and thereby ensures wedge bar 55 remains in the fully locked state.

When coupler 10 needs to be decoupled from the attachment, wedge bolts 85 are loosened to disengage and release wedge bar 55 away from wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50 a and allow wedge bar 55 to freely move past ends 37, 37 a of wedge brackets 36, 36 a.

FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate an embodiment of the invention wherein the wedge coupler 10 includes a wedge coupler wedge bar for hydraulically engaging the wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50 a. Coupler 10 includes a hydraulically operated locking system comprising a wedge bar 55, a pair of wedge guide rods 105 for aligning wedge bar 55 during hydraulic operation, a hydraulic cylinder 125 centrally mounted on coupler 10 by cylinder pin 135, hydraulic supply hoses 140, and a wedge pin 150 for securing piston 155 of hydraulic cylinder 125 to wedge bar 55. Pin apertures 110, 115, 110 a and 115 a are provided to receive safety pins 120, 120 a.

In FIG. 9, boss 20 and boss 20 a [20 a is hidden] are initially engaged in rear facing hook sections 70, 70 a [70 a is hidden]. In the exemplary example shown in FIG. 10, activation of hydraulic cylinder 125 causes wedge bar 55 to move towards wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50 a.

When wedge bar 55 is not yet engaged with wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50 a, springs 130 and 130 a are in a compressed state as depicted in FIG. 11. When wedge bar 55 is in a final engaged or locked state as illustrated in FIG. 12, springs 130 and 130 a are in an uncompressed state. If hydraulic power is lost, the springs move to their natural state and prevent wedge bar 55 from disengaging from wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50 a. In final engaged position, safety pins 120, 120 a are secured through pin apertures 110, 115, 110 a and 115 a to further secure wedge bar 55 in its locked position.

When coupler 10 needs to be decoupled from the attachment, de-activation of hydraulic cylinder 125 causes wedge bar 55 to release from wedge bar receiver sections 50, 50 a and freely move past ends 37, 37 a of wedge brackets 36, 36.

While the principles of the invention have been shown and described in connection with a specific embodiment, it is to be understood that such embodiment is by way of example and is not limiting as is evident from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details illustrated in the drawings. Other modifications and applications, or equivalents, will occur to those skilled in the art. For example the wedge bar could also go through the lugs by retracting and extending pins in the wedge coupler, the rear facing hook section can have different profiles depending on the configuration of the wedge coupler and the lug spacing on the attachment can be different widths so long as the wedge coupler is engaged with both lugs.

The terms “having”, “comprising” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoing specification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” and not as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and attached drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims that follow. The scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather one or more. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the embodiment described throughout the disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Wedge coupler brackets for attachment to an implement to permit connection of a wedge coupler on the work arm of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader, said wedge coupler brackets comprising: first and second opposing sidewalls, each sidewall having a first rear facing recess section and a second recess section, the first and second recess sections configured and adapted to engage bosses on the work arm wedge coupler that transfer the digging force from a power link of the primary mover to the attachment; each sidewall having a wedge bar receiver section to receive a wedge bar on the wedge coupler, the wedge bar receiver sections configured and adapted, in combination with the rear facing recess sections, to retain the attachment to the wedge coupler by engagement with both brackets across the width of the brackets on the attachment.
 2. Wedge coupler brackets according to claim 1, wherein each rear facing recess section is a rear facing hook section and the second recess section is a saddle section.
 3. Wedge coupler brackets according to claim 1, wherein the wedge bar receiver sections are configured and adapted to receive a manually or hydraulically operated wedge bar on the wedge coupler.
 4. Wedge coupler brackets according to claim 1, wherein the implement is a bucket, pneumatic hammer, hole auger, grapple, shears, or ripper.
 5. An implement having wedge coupler brackets for coupling the implement to a wedge coupler on the work arm of a primary mover such as a back hoe, excavator or loader, said wedge coupler brackets comprising: first and second opposing sidewalls, each sidewall including a first rear facing recess section and a second recess section; the first and second recess sections configured and adapted to engage bosses on the work arm wedge coupler that transfer the digging force from a power link of the primary mover to the implement; each sidewall having a wedge bar receiver section to receive a wedge bar on the wedge coupler, the wedge bar receiver sections configured and adapted, in combination with the rear facing recess sections, to retain the attachment to the wedge coupler by engagement with both brackets across the width of the brackets on the implement.
 6. An implement according to claim 5, wherein each rear facing recess section is a rear facing hook section and the second recess section is a saddle section.
 7. An implement according to claim 5, wherein the wedge bar receiver sections are configured and adapted to receive a manually or hydraulically operated wedge bar on the wedge couple.
 8. An implement according to claim 5, wherein the implement is a bucket, pneumatic hammer, hole auger, grapple, shears, or ripper. 